IHS Introduces Be Heard: Asian Experiences in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) invites guests to hear stories about Indiana’s Asian community—both past and present—with the opening of its new exhibit, Be Heard: Asian Experiences in Indiana. The exhibit, on display April 27 through July 27 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, celebrates the community that has been calling Indiana home since the 1800s.

Guests of Be Heard: Asian Experiences in Indiana will learn about the community’s geographic heritage, from Central and South Asia to Asia-Pacific countries. The exhibit also brings to light experiences as native-born U.S. citizens, foreign nationals and Hoosiers. Stories are told through donated items, photographs and new oral history interviews conducted by Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, IHS coordinator of multicultural collections.

“The life stories featured in this exhibit highlight individuals of great achievement and their fascinating cultural backgrounds, both international and domestic,” said Martinez-LeGrand. “This exhibit will answer questions about Indiana’s growing Asian community and its, at times, complicated history.”

Be Heard: Asian Experiences in Indiana is presented by Kwang Casey, owner of Oaken Barrel Brewing in Greenwood, Indiana. It is the third installment in IHS’s Be Heard series. Many of the items and photographs featured are new additions to IHS’s collections, gathered through the Asian History Collecting Initiative, which is generously supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Guests can tour the exhibit on the fourth floor of the History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis, during the building’s regular operating hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. It is included with admission to the Indiana Experience, which is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children (ages 5 to 17). IHS members and children younger than five receive free admission.

To learn more about the exhibit or IHS’s Asian History Collecting Initiative, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor experiences called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups; publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programs. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, home of IHS and the Indiana Experience, is located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.